Rhenium(VII) sulfide is a chemical compound with the formula Re2S7. It has a complex structure, but can be synthesized from direct combination of the elements: 2 Re
+ 7 S → Δ Re 2 S 7 {\displaystyle {\ce {2Re{}+ 7S ->[\Delta] Re2S7}}} Alternatively, rhenium(VII) oxide reacts with hydrogen sulfide in 4N HCl to the same end: Re 2 O 7
+ 7 H 2 S → Δ Re 2 S 7
+ 7 H 2 O {\displaystyle {\ce {Re2O7{}+ 7H2S ->[\Delta] Re2S7{}+ 7H2O}}}
The compound catalyses the reduction of nitric oxide to nitrous oxide and hydrogenation of double bonds. In this regard, it unusually tolerates sulfur compounds, which poison noble metal catalysts. Rhenium(VII) sulfide decomposes when heated. In vacuum, it generates rhenium(IV) sulfide:
R e 2 S 7 → 600 o C 2 R e S 2 + 3 S {\displaystyle \mathrm {Re_{2}S_{7}\ {\xrightarrow {600^{o}C}}\ 2ReS_{2}+3S} }
In air, the sulfide oxidizes to sulfur dioxide:
2 R e 2 S 7 + 21 O 2 → Δ 2 R e 2 O 7 + 14 S O 2 {\displaystyle \mathrm {2Re_{2}S_{7}+21O_{2}\ {\xrightarrow {\Delta }}\ 2Re_{2}O_{7}+14SO_{2}} }
References
Kunyants, I. L. et al, eds. (1995). Химическая энциклопедия [Chemical encyclopedia] (in Russian). Moscow: Soviet Encyclopedias. ISBN 978-5-85270-092-6 Nikolsky, B. P. et al, eds. (1971). Справочник химика [Handbook of Chemistry] (in Russian). 3rd (revised) ed. Leningrad: Khimiya Publishing. Ripan, R.; Ceteanu, I. (1972). Химия металлов [Chemistry of Metals] (in Russian). Неорганическая химия [Inorganic chemistry]. Moscow: Mir.
